Griffin helps Clippers roll past Jazz

Clippers forward Blake Griffin celebrates a dunk against the Utah Jazz during the first half on Saturday at Staples Center. Chris Carlson, AP

LOS ANGELES – The Clippers wanted to come out and respond to a one-sided drubbing from the San Antonio Spurs two days earlier.

And even though it took a half to get back on track, the Clippers eventually got rolling, beating the Utah Jazz 107-94 Saturday night at Staples Center.

“The third quarter, we seemed to get into it defensively a little bit,” Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. “We were more aggressive.”

After leading by only two at halftime, the Clippers blitzed the Jazz to start the second half, quickly putting the game out of reach.

Led by Blake Griffin’s 12 points in the quarter, the Clippers out-scored Utah 36-20.

Griffin finished with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Griffin made an impact by air, soaring for an acrobatic and-one layup, and by ground, diving across the floor to keep a play alive that led to a wide open Caron Butler three.

Butler scored 11 of his 21 points in the third quarter as well.

“Blake’s a problem,” Chris Paul said. “He’s a problem. He’s so tough to defend when he’s attacking the basket. You almost have to foul him.”

Lamar Odom kept things rolling in the fourth quarter, as the Clippers’ versatile big man got hot from the perimeter. Odom scored 18 points, the most since scoring 19 for Dallas on Jan. 21, 2012. Eleven points came in the fourth, and 16 of his 18 in the second half.

Utah was able to get the lead down to 12 in the fourth quarter thanks to 10 Clipper turnovers in the quarter. The Clippers turned the ball over 22 times Saturday.

“I thought the turnovers hurt us a lot.”

Gordon Hayward led Utah with 23 points.

Technical difficulties

It hasn’t really cost them yet, but the Clippers and head coach Del Negro know it could.

The Clippers’ emotions have occasionally run out-of-control, leading to 50 technical fouls assessed to players and coaches so far this season.

The 50 techs average out to .88 a game – most in the NBA.

Saturday, the Clippers added to that total, with Griffin and Jamal Crawford each being called for technicals.

After DeAndre Jordan and Ryan Hollins were assessed technicals Thursday night to go along with a delay-of-game technical given to the team, Del Negro was critical of his team’s composure.

“We splintered a little bit with our emotions, getting technicals and delays of games and all that,” he said Thursday. “We’ve got to grow up. We’ve got to grow up and understand the moment and have better habits than that.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.